24 September 2010

Not Bitter, Just Angry

In November of 2007, while I was in London, I lost my father. No, he isn’t dead. He’s incarcerated. While working in the backyard of his Compton home on motorcycles, he was arrested and charged with “conspiracy to sell drugs.” It turns out that the DEA had tapped his cell phone and claimed that while talking to customers about motorcycle parts, he was really talking in “code” about drugs. My dad had gotten 20 years in jail off of what they called circumstantial evidence, but there was no evidence or witnesses that proved him guilty. It was based on one DEA’s opinion of what “drug talk” was. So many obvious things proved my father’s innocence, but they weren’t brought up in court. The public defender, James Cooper, omitted the evidence that would set my dad free. The judge refused to allow my dad to dismiss Cooper, thus, violating his civil rights.Like any daughter would say, my father is innocent. The difference between me and some others, I know for a fact that my dad is innocent. My father is possibly one of the best Harley Davidson motorcycle builders in California. His motorcycles have been featured in various magazines, including Bike Business and Soul Ryda magazine. Also, my father’s dad’s motorcycles have been featured in more magazines than my father. It runs in our family.Since 2007, we have been fighting for my dad’s freedom. Seeing my father on weekends with limited activity and a set time span hurts. Unfortunately, I took advantage of having a father when he was able to see me whenever. I would blow him off if he wanted to take me to the movies, and only call when it was convenient for me. However, I am grateful that I stopped that nonsense a few years before him being arrested, but I still have tons of regret.Recently, we had gotten an appeal’s lawyer who is sorting through the case documents in order to grant my father freedom. It turns out that many of the important documents that would free my dad had been sealed, which is also illegal. She has gotten a few of these documents opened, but she says that there are tons more that, not only would free my dad, but would also incriminate members of the DEA and the judge, and would allow my father to sue for unlawful incarceration. Although this is good news, I cannot get my hopes up until my father is walking out of the correctional facility.Today, while watching the news, I see that Lindsay Lohan could be receiving 30 days for using cocaine. A few days ago, Paris Hilton had been caught with cocaine in her purse. However, each of these “celebrities” will only walk away with a mere few months at the most. Yet, my father received 20 years based on something that was “circumstantial.” How does that work?I am deeply hurt and angered at this entire system. I have not seen my father outside of one building in 3 years, but these “celebrities” will have the chance to reunite with their parents before Thanksgiving.Many times, you will probably hear me say, “Fuck the law,” or “Fuck the DEA,” or “I hate the police.” No, I’m not a bitter black woman just because it’s cool to be one. It’s because the one father that I have, a fucking amazing father at that, they take him away and make him a fucking stereotype.